Building block casting machine



Jan. 7, 1941. J, E KIRKHAM 2,227,756

BUILDING BLOCK CASTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l mlm I:- i u Jan, 7, 1941. J, E KmKHAM 2,227,756

BUILDING BLOCK CASTING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MlmlllrillllmmnHf, Z

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for producing building blocks of concrete and similar mixtures, and has for its principal object to provide a machine of this character that is constructed to produce undistorted blocks of uniform density in a facile and inexpensive manner.

Other important objects of the invention are to provide a yielding matrix support or seat and matrix vibrating mechanismfor compacting the concrete mix without producing vibrations in the framework of the machine; to provide a vibratory mechanism that is rigidly attached to the matrix unit and yet permits free rocking thereof from filling to block stripping positions; and to provide a vibratory mechanism that is fully enclosed and protected from wear due to contact with the abrasive material forming the mixture.

Other important objects of the invention are -to provide a unitary matrix and stripper mechanism that is rotatably supported for registry with a hopper or filling apparatus and for registry with a receiving pallet onto which a cast block is stripped; to provide a stripper and pallet supporting mechanism that operate im perfect unison and alignment so as to produce blocks that are entirely free from distortion; and to provide a movable hopper for striking off excess material from the top of the matrix.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building block casting machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, the matrix being shown in registering relation with the hopper through which a concrete mixture is inserted` Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view but showing the hopper retracted and the matrix oscillated to stripping position.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the machine, a part of which is shown in section to better illustrate the structure.

Fig. 4 is a similar viewsh'owing the parts in position for stripping a form block from the matrix.

Fig, 5 isa fragmentary section through the machine on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the vibrating mechanism, parts of the enclosing housing being broken away to better illustrate the eccentrics for oil-balancing the actuating shaft.

.. frame.

Fig. 7-is a detail perspective view of one end of the pallet supporting carriage.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention and which 5 includes a stationary frame 2 formed of structural members. The frame 2 comprises spaced upright angles 3 and 4 that are connected at their upper ends by'a horizontal angle 5 and at a point spaced above their lower ends by a horizontal angle 6. The frame also includes spaced pairs of horizontal angles 1 8 and B-III, having their ends connected with the uprights 3 and 4 at points' spaced below the upper ends thereof and with channel-shaped uprights II l5 andl I2. The uprights 3 and 4 are also connected at their lower ends with the lower ends ofthe uprights II and I2 by angles I3 and I4 which constitute the ground supports for the The uprights 3 and 4 extend above the 20 horizontal members I and 9 to cooperate with shorter vertical members I5 and I6 and a horizontal connecting angle il to support a-platform I8, the lower ends of the uprights I5 and I 6 being connected with the horizontal members l and 9.

The platform I8 is of less width than the frame and slidably mounted thereon is a hopper I9 having side and end walls 20-2I and 22-23 terminating in upwardly flaring sides 24 to form an opening Lthrough which or the like is poured into described. The hopper I9 substantially corresponds in length to the platform and the end walls 2li-2| have angles 26 fixed thereto so that one flange of the end angles slidably engages the end edges of the platform, and the other flanges 21 project laterally to stiien the end wall of the hopper. 'I'he longitudinal walls of the hopper 'are also reinforced with angles 28 and 29 having upwardly extending guide ears 40 30 and 3|- to form runners for engaging the upper face of the platform and the`top of the matrix to facilitate sliding of the hopper thereacross.

Oscillatably retained upon the cross members I and 9, at a point spaced inwardly from the uprights II and I2, is a tubular housing or trunnion 32 carrying the matrix and which has its ends engaged in seats 33 and 34 formed between pairs of lugs 35-36 that are carried upon the frame members I and 9. The lugs thus retain the tubular housing for oscillation on the frame and allow, slight vertical movement of the matrix l as well as removal of the matrix when Vsubstituting one size of matrix and its stripping mechanism for another. as when setting up the mathe matrix 25, later a concrete mixture 30 chine to produce a different size and shape of block.

In the illustrated instance the matrix 25 is shown as comprising a substantially rectangular shaped box open at the top and bottom and having side and end walls 31--38 and 39--40 reinforced along their upper and lower edges by angles 4-I and 42 extending about the perimeter thereof and having outwardly extending flanges as best shown in Fig. 2. The flanges on the upper angles constitute a sliding support for the runners of the hopper, and the flange of the lower angle which extends along the side wall 31 is rigidly attached to the tubular housing32 so that the matrix is adapted to swing from registering alignment with the hopper and spring table, later described, to an inverted position between the uprights II and I2, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The tubular housing is oscillated to eect movement of the matrix by a lever 44 that is fixed thereto adjacent the upright I2. r Carried by the perimetrical angles 42in aligning registry with the corners of the matrix, are angle-shaped guides 45, 46, 41 and 48 to provide guiding supports for the stripper plate and blocks when stripped from the matrix as later described. The free ends of the guides 45-46 and 41-48 are interconnected by cross members 49 and 50, and the guides45-41 and 46-48 are interconnected by.

angle members 5I and 52 to form a substantially rigid frame. Slidably supported in the angles of the guides is a stripping frame 53, comprising cross members 54 and 55 having their ends respectively engaging the flanges of the guides and a connecting member 56 having projecting ends 51 and 58 to be engaged by latches or hooks 59 and 60, later described. Fixed to the connecting member 56 of the stripping frame 53, and depending therefrom are rods 6I carrying a plate 62 that forms the bottom of the matrix and is slidable through the matrix to effect stripping thereof as later described. The matrix also includes cores 63 which form openings in the blocks and which are suspended from the matrix on cross bars 64 as clearly shown in Fig. 4, the plate 62 being provided with openings 65 to pass over the cores.

Slidable on the uprights II and I2 is a pallet supporting carriage 66, including a horizontally arranged channel 61 of suitable length to be freely movable between the uprights and which has guide plates 68 and 69 projecting from the side iianges thereof to engage the sides of the uprights II and I2. The channel is thus arranged so that the web 10 thereof forms a seat for cross angles 1I which constitute a guide track for supporting a pallet 12. The carriage is stabilized by vertical arms 13 and 14 having flanged heads 15 for engaging the side flanges of the uprights II and I2. The carriage thus described is yieldingly supported on suspension springs 16 and 11 having their upper ends attached to vertical bars 18 and 19 which constitute the stems of the latch or hook members 59 and 60, previously described.

The bars 18 and 19 are slidably guided within notches and 8| that are formed in the inwardly directed angles of the frame members 1 and 9, as best shown in Fig. 1. `The lower ends of the bars are guidingly supported in similar notches 82 that are formed in the ends of the channels 61. The latch'members, including the bar portions thereof, are reciprocated to effect movement of the carriage by means of a rock shaft 83 that is trunnioned in bearings 84 and 86 attached to the lower ends of the uprights II and I2.

Fixed to the shaft 83 are arms 86 and 81 which are pivotally connected with the bar por-` Aupon springs 9I attached to the lower cross members 8 and I0 of the frame is a platform 92 which engagingly supports the guide frame portion of the matrix when the matrix is in receiving relation with the hopper, as shown in Fig. l. Vibration is produced in the matrix by means of an eccentrically positioned weight 93 xed upon an actuating shaft 95 that has its ends journalled within suitable bearings 96r and 91 carried within the ends of the tubular housing previously described. The shaft is actuated by a motor 98 that is supported upon a platform 99, carried upon the lower cross members 8 and I0 at a point below the hopper supporting platform. The armature shaft of the motor 98 is provided with a pulley I 00 that operates a pulley IOI on the shaft 95 through a belt connection I02 running over the respective pulleys.

'I'he vibrator is carried by the matrix which is insulated from the frame 2 by the springs supporting the platform 92 so that no vibration is produced in the frame of the machine and the inertia of the vibrating elements are reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the matrix being the only vibrating unit, the full effect of the vibrator is centered therein.

In using a machine constructed and assembled as described, a matrix having a shape and size to produce the desired block is applied to the supporting frame by passing the ends of the tubular housing 32 into the seats 33 and 34 so that the guide frame of the matrix unit rests upon the spring mounted platform 92. In this position the open end of the matrix aligns with the upper surface of the platform I8. The hopper `I9 is then drawn forwardly until it registers with the matrix. A suitable mixture is then poured into the hopper so that it falls within the matrix and is compacted responsive to vibrations produced in the matrix incidental to rotation of the eccentrics. Vibration of the matrix causes the mixture to be thoroughly compacted about the coresr so as to form a firm block of uniform density, free of voids and having sufficient rigidity so that it may be extracted from the matrix without breakage or distortion.

When the matrix is completely filled and the mixture thoroughly compacted, the hopper is slid retractively to its position on the platform I8 in such a manner that the supporting angles of the hopper cut oif the excess mixture and smooth off the top of the block even with the edges of the matrix. The lever 44 is then rocked to effect inversion of the matrix upon a pallet that has been placed upon the guides 1I. When the matrix engages the pallet the flange of the angle 42 rests on arms |03 and |04 secured to the uprights II and I2 and the springs 16 and 11 substantially vdampening effects usually caused by weight and -wardmovernent of the'hooks 59 and which are in position to engage the projecting ends `51 and s 58 of the bar 56 so that the plunger 'plate 62 of the stripping mechanism is moved downwardly against the cast block to strip the block from the matrix. 'I'his movement of the block corresponds to movement of the bars 18 and 19, causing the pallet carriage to move downwardly without tensioning of its supporting springs as shown in Fig. 5, until the block is clear of the matrix. 'I'he matrix is then returned to its original filling position and the cast block is removed on the pallet for completing its set and a new pallet inserted for receiving the next block cast in the machine.

From the foregoing it is obviousA that I have provided a machine that is of relatively simple construction and by which blocks may be cast without distortion incidental to stripping of a block from the matrix due to positive alignment of the sides of the matrix, and line of movement of the'stripper plate and the pallet. It is also obvious that the mounting of the matrix on the yielding platform and the rotary mechanism effecting vibration through the eccentric weight, leaves the supporting frame 2 free of vibration and only the matrix unit is caused to vibrate. Thus a maximum of vibration is transmitted to the concrete, and a minimum dampening of vibration due to excess weight and inertia. 'I'he tubular housing which supports the matrix also protectsthe rotating parts and bearings of the vibratory mechanism so as to prevent wear 'by the abrasive materials used in constructing the blocks.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine of the character described including a frame, a lling hopper carried on the frame, a yielding support on the frame at a point below said hopper, a matrix seated on said support in receiving relation with the hopper, means for effecting vibration of said matrix on the yielding support to effect compaction of a mixture passed into the matrix through said hopper, stripping mechanism offset from said matrix support, and means for shifting the matrix from said matrix support to said stripping mechanism.

2. A machine of the character described including a frame, a filling hopper carried on the frame, a yielding support on the frame at a point below said hopper, a matrix seated on said support in receiving relation with the hopper, a pallet support on the frame, means for effecting vibration of said matrix on the yielding support to effect compaction of a mixture passed into the matrix through said hopper, carrying means Vfor shifting the matrix from said yielding support to said pallet support, `and means for stripping the matrix.

3. A machine of the character described including a frame, a filling hopper carried on the frame, a yielding support on the frame at a point below said hopper, a matrix seated on said support in receiving relation with the hopper, means for effecting vibration of said matrix on the yielding support to effect compaction of a mixture passed into the matrix through said hopper, a pallet support on the frame offset with respect to the yielding support, and means pivotally connecting the matrix With the frame whereby the asaarb'e matrix is adaptedto be moved from said yielding support toan inverted po'sltionon said pallet support, said pivotal Ameans being arranged to allow vibration. of the matrix on said yielding support.

el. A machine of the character described including a frame, a matrix, a yielding support on the frame forseating the matrix, a tubular member xed to the matrix and having its ends supported for vibrationonfthe frame, s. shaft rotatablymounted in said tubular member, means on said shaft for effecting vibration of the matrix on said yielding support, and means for rotating the shaft.

5. A machine of the character described including a frame, a matrix, a yielding support on the frame for seating the matrix, a tubular member xed to the matrix and having its ends guidingly supported ou the frame, a shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular member, means on said shaft for effecting vibration of the matrix on said yielding support, means for rotating the` shaft, and a rock lever fixed to the tubular member for moving the matrix from seated position on said yielding support to a stripping position.

6. A machine of the character described including a frame, a matrix, a yielding support on the frame for seating the matrix, a feed hopper supported above the matrix, a tubular member xed to the matrix, means supporting the ends of the tubular member for vibration on the frame, a shaft extending through the tubular member, means for rotating the shaft, eccentric means on the shaft for eiecting vibration of the matrix on said yielding support, a pallet support offset from *the yielding support, and a rock lever connected with the tubular member for moving the. matrix from under the hopper and oiI the yielding support onto a pallet carried by the pallet support.

7. A machine of the character described including a frame, a matrix, a yielding support on the frame for seating the matrix, a tubular member xed to the matrix, means oscillatively supporting the ends of the tubular member on the frame, a shaft journalled in the tubular member, means for rotating the shaft, eccentric means on the shaft for effecting vibration of the matrix on said yielding support, a pallet support offset from the yielding support, a rock lever on the tubular member for moving the matrix E the yielding support onto the pallet support, stripping means carried by the matrix, and means for actuating the stripping means to effect displacement of a cast article onto a pallet carried by said pallet support.

8. In a machine of the character described. a frame, a matrix unit including a matrix, a tubular trunnion member fixed to the matrix and having loose rocking support on said frame, a shaft extending through the tubular member, eccentric means on the shaft for effecting vibration of the matrix, stripping means carried by the matrix, and means for rocking said tubular member to move said matrix unit from a vibrating position to a stripping position.

9. A machine of the character described including a frame, a matrix, a stripping mechanism in the matrix, invertive means supporting the matrix on the frame, a pallet carriage movable on the frame, guide bars slidable on the frame for guiding the pallet carriage, means connecting the pallet carriage with the guide bars, hooks on the guide bars adapted to engage the stripping mechanism, a shaft rockably mounted on the frame, arms on said shaft, links having connectionwith the guide bars and the arms, and

an actuator on the shaft to eiect movement of the hooks into engagement with the stripping mechanism and to effect movement o! said carriage for displacement of a cast article onto a pallet support on said carriage.

10. In a. machine of the character described, a frame, a yielding support on the frame, a matrix seated on said support, and means effecting vibration of said matrix on the yielding support to effect compaction of a mixture passed into the matrix including a rotating shaft journalled on 

